The trade relationship between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has experienced significant growth in the financial year 2023-24. According to the annual report of the UAE India CEPA Council, bilateral trade increased by 14.76% year-on-year to reach $83.64 billion. This marks the first full financial year since the implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has played a crucial role in reducing trade barriers and facilitating economic expansion.

India’s exports to the UAE saw a substantial surge of 27.03%, while the UAE’s exports to India also increased by 7.09% compared to the previous financial year (2022-23). The positive impact of CEPA, which came into force on May 1, 2022, has been evident in these figures, as the agreement has streamlined trade processes and encouraged investment flows between the two nations.

One of the most notable sectors benefiting from this trade growth is the gem and jewellery industry. Bilateral trade in this sector expanded from $20.88 billion in FY2022 to $28.15 billion in FY2024, marking an impressive 35% increase. India’s gem and jewellery exports to the UAE witnessed even greater growth, rising by over 60% from $4.95 billion in FY2022 to $8.04 billion in FY2024.

India’s non-oil trade with the UAE rose by 20.1% to $59.72 billion in 2023-24, compared to $49.73 billion in the previous year. The strong trade ties have also been complemented by a rise in bilateral investments. Indian investments in the UAE amounted to approximately $1.16 billion, covering a range of industries including technology and logistics. Meanwhile, the UAE emerged as India’s fourth-largest foreign investor, committing $3.35 billion to high-potential sectors within India.

The India-UAE trade relationship has strengthened significantly since the implementation of CEPA, fostering a robust and mutually beneficial economic partnership. The substantial growth in trade volumes, particularly in non-oil trade and the gem and jewellery sector, underscores the effectiveness of the agreement in enhancing economic cooperation. With continued policy support and investment facilitation, both nations are poised for sustained trade growth in the coming years.